Make a sparkleball snowman!

This snowman was made by "Cuppy." See more of her photos here.

Consider making a basic sparkleball before you attempt the snowman, so you understand the process. Otherwise, familiarize yourself with the basic instructions before you begin the snowman.

1. Make 3 sparkleballs using 100 clear mini-lights and only 46 cups in each ball.

On Ball #1, build the first half as usual. But as you fit the last four cups in, have the lights ready to thread. Pull the plug end between the cups, then melt them into place, so the plug end dangles out. Then thread the lights into the cups, 2 lights to a cup.

On the second half you'll leave out the last four cups so there's a gap. Make sure the prong end of the lights dangles out the gap. Then finish threading in the lights. Add the leftover 8 lights to 8 lucky cups, so that those cups have 3 lights each instead of 2.

Join the halves. Build Balls #2 and #3 the same way.

2. Set Ball #1 on the ground. Where the gap is is the base. (A prong should be hanging out of the bottom to plug into your extension cord.)

Put Ball #2 on top of Ball #1, fitting the gap side onto the rounded top of the bottom ball. Plug them into each other and make sure the lights work.

Then join the balls with the soldering iron. You can notch the cup rims together, as the sparkleball directions show. Or you can make holes between the cups and wire them together, as Glenda suggests.

3. Add Ball #3 to the first two. Again, plug in the lights and make sure they all work. Then secure Ball #3.

4. When the body is sturdy and strong, and the plugs are all plugged in and you know the lights work-- then decorate your snowman !

5. If you plan to put your snowman outside, make sure you stake it to the ground so it won't blow over, using tent stakes through holes in the cups or by using wooden dowels inside the snowman.

Thanks to Glenda for instructions and to Cuppy for the photo.